About The Madeleine Brand Show

The Madeleine Brand Show, exclusively on 89.3 KPCC, 89.1 KUOR and 90.3 KVLA, captures the spirit of the West in a conversational, informal, witty style and examines the cultural issues people are buzzing about. Hosted by Madeleine Brand, and produced by Kristen Muller, Steve Proffitt and Sanden Totten, the show includes regular segments like Weird L.A. - highlighting a person, place or thing that you've never heard about, but probably should; Parenting on the Edge - a weekly discussion on the challenges and pitfalls of raising kids; as well as regular contributors like Luke Burbank, Rico Gagliano, Brendan Newnam and John Moe to help dissect culture, technology and business news.

Next Tuesday, Californians will vote on Proposition 29, which would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 87 cents to $1.87.

Supporters say the money would go to cancer research and anti-smoking programs that would further lower smoking rates.

But a recent federal study shows California uses a very small proportion of its tobacco funds on actually fighting smoking.

Even so, smoking rates in California have dropped to the second-lowest in the country. What could have accounted for the decline? Were cigarette taxes enough disincentive? Or were there other factors?

Anti-tobacco advocates maintain the cigarette taxes are the most effective smoking prevention tool. Groups like the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids say that for every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices, smoking among kids - who can least afford a price hike --goes down.

Glantz says that Hollywood is also playing a role in reducing smoking rates. In 2010, smoking scenes in the top-grossing movies fell by nearly half over the five prior years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Seeing adults reject smoking, Glantz says, is a better way to reduce smoking rates in kids than targeting campaigns at them.

There is also the fact that smokers have a dwindling number of places to smoke publicly. Every year, more bans go into effect in places like parks and beaches. An anti-smoking ordinance took effect in March on Hermosa Beach, with fines ranging from $100 to $500.